Big band fundraiser a family affair

The world famous Joe Loss Orchestra return to the city on Saturday when it performs for the 37th time for the Birch Thompson Memorial Fund.

The annual dinner dance has raised more than £500,000 for the charity over the years.

The charity which runs a house in Porthmadog which many youngsters from Wolverhampton have stayed in.

But this will be the first time that its leader Todd Miller and his vocalist wife Val Miller will be joined on stage by their singer son Greg who uses the family name of Cusick rather than his parent's stage name.

The original dance was in 1981 when Lesley Ann Roberts was the resident female vocalist with the band and was instrumental in starting the long running fund raising tradition.

Todd Miller deputised for Joe Loss who had suffered a fall at the first performance.

Then when Joe retired Todd took over and has kept the music flowing with a succession of talented musicians. Lesley Ann Roberts is returning on the night as a guest artiste.

Organiser Keith Berry said: "We have been going for 36 years and so must be doing something right.

"This is the first time that the three members of the same family will be on stage together. It should be a night to remember." The dinner dance is being held at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel, in Park Drive, in Wolverhampton.

The musical night is being held on November 12.

It costs £40-a-head for the dinner and dance while those just wanting to dance pay £21.50.

The dinner starts at 6.30pm while the dancing begins at 8.30pm. Tickets can be obtained from Keith Berry on 07899564302.